WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.419 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:04.259 --> 00:00:04.660 Excellent. 00:00:04.759 --> 00:00:07.419 Well, if you have a Bible, would you turn to Ephesians chapter 4? 00:00:07.940 --> 00:00:11.620 If you don't have a Bible, there's Bibles scattered in the pews around us. 00:00:11.660 --> 00:00:15.599 It's imperative if we're going to hear God's voice this morning that we have His words 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:17.080 open in front of us. 00:00:17.580 --> 00:00:20.300 So why don't you turn to Ephesians chapter 4? 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:25.980 And let's pause just before we begin and let's pray together. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:26.539 Let's pray. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.780 Father, we thank you for our time together this morning. 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:38.820 And we thank you now for your words. 00:00:39.579 --> 00:00:43.159 And we come to it expectantly that we would hear from you. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:49.640 And we would echo the words that we've sung just a few minutes ago that our hearts would 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:51.439 be changed and renewed. 00:00:52.820 --> 00:00:55.980 And we pray this in Jesus' name and for His glory. 00:00:56.519 --> 00:00:56.859 Amen. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:00:57.000 Amen. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.359 So here is Thomas McIntyre. 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:09.920 In 2013, he was named Slimming World's Man of the Year. 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:13.759 He went from, get your head around this one, okay? 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:17.859 He went from 31 stone to 13 stone. 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:20.159 And it gets better than that. 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:27.859 He went from an extra, extra, extra, extra, extra, extra, extra, extra. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:30.799 That's eight large to a medium. 00:01:32.099 --> 00:01:33.659 It's pretty impressive stuff, isn't it? 00:01:33.659 --> 00:01:36.819 But picture this. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:43.019 After the service this morning, you decide to go for a stroll around the meadows just outside. 00:01:43.739 --> 00:01:47.159 And in the distance in your vision, you see Thomas. 00:01:47.819 --> 00:01:48.599 There he is. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:52.359 And you think, this is the guy who's the Slimming World Man of the Year 2013. 00:01:52.539 --> 00:01:53.500 I need to meet this guy. 00:01:53.500 --> 00:02:00.879 But as Thomas gets closer to you, actually something strikes you as being a bit odd about him. 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:07.040 Because he's wearing the same clothes that he used to wear. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:10.939 So he's wearing a ridiculously baggy shirt. 00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:15.780 He's wearing trousers that he's got the belt right to the end. 00:02:15.860 --> 00:02:16.639 And he's tucking it in. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:18.920 He's holding them up with his hands. 00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:22.799 What would you say to Thomas? 00:02:23.959 --> 00:02:26.299 Would you say, Thomas, great to see you. 00:02:26.339 --> 00:02:27.179 Well done on that award. 00:02:27.239 --> 00:02:28.099 You're looking great. 00:02:29.419 --> 00:02:31.359 No, of course you wouldn't say that. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:35.759 You would say, Tommy boy, you look ridiculous. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:40.339 You are not that person anymore. 00:02:41.399 --> 00:02:45.159 Why are you dressing like the old you? 00:02:45.159 --> 00:02:52.180 Dress and clothe yourself in a way that goes with the new you. 00:02:54.079 --> 00:02:59.280 And you see, that is the Apostle Paul's big point this morning. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:05.400 Clothe yourselves in a way that goes with the new you. 00:03:05.400 --> 00:03:17.540 First three chapters of this letter, Paul's been unpacking these glorious truths about what God has done for us in the gospel. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:26.120 And now he turns to say that this is what your worshipful response to what God has done should be. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:39.879 And our verses this morning, they're a passionate plea from Paul for these Christians in Ephesus to understand, to grasp, to get their heads around the reality of what God has done for them in the gospel. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:55.159 And to see how that compels them to live such a different life, a completely different life of radical righteousness to the glory of God and to the praise of his grace. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:04:01.300 Clothe yourself in a way that goes with the new you. 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:07.080 And if you've got a Bible there in front of you, you'll see that this passage, it splits up nicely into two. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:11.320 And we're just going to look at it in two sections this morning, really simply. 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:14.600 The new you and the new lifestyle. 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:17.879 The new life, the new lifestyle. 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:24.400 So let's read together verses 17 to 24, the first section there. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.980 This is the new life. 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:30.800 Paul writes this. 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:36.660 So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord. 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:42.020 That you must no longer live as the Gentiles. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:44.080 You can read that as people who don't follow Jesus. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:48.040 Live as the Gentiles do in the futility of their thinking. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:59.480 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of their ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:08.900 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:11.060 And they are full of greed. 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:14.219 And we'll pause there for just a second. 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:22.980 Because you see, before Paul goes on to talk about the new life, he wants these Ephesians to see the old life. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:32.020 And this is the condition and the reality of what is going on in the lives of the people who are round about them who don't follow Jesus. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:35.659 Now look at the words that Paul uses there in that section. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:41.740 And I think he's put it together deliberately in a fashion to convey a downward movement. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:42.740 Look with me. 00:05:43.599 --> 00:05:46.060 It begins with hardness, doesn't it? 00:05:46.099 --> 00:05:47.159 Hard hearts. 00:05:47.859 --> 00:05:49.159 Then it moves to darkness. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:51.520 Then it moves to darkness. 00:05:52.520 --> 00:05:54.820 And then it moves to recklessness. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:06:01.460 Now isn't that a most chilling description of what a life is that doesn't know God? 00:06:02.200 --> 00:06:14.500 Of a people who are just going with the default inclination of their sinful hearts and wanting nothing to do with the God who created them and choosing to go away from him. 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:17.800 It speaks of a people lost. 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:21.899 And it speaks of a people heading away from God. 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:30.339 Now the famous author C.S. Lewis, amongst his other works, he wrote a book called Surprised by Joy. 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:31.160 Maybe you've read it. 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:33.699 Can I thoroughly recommend it to you? 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:35.899 It's basically his autobiography. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:42.740 And in it, he tells the story of when he first traveled to Oxford to go to university. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:47.240 And he got off the train in Oxford and he started walking. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:50.259 And as he walks along, he writes this. 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:52.879 He notices that the buildings are getting smaller. 00:06:53.840 --> 00:06:56.500 He notices that the parks are getting less pretty. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:59.060 He notices that the roads are getting narrower. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:01.840 He notices that the streetlights are getting fewer. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:04.480 And he notices that it's getting darker. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:10.139 And he thinks to himself, is this the world famous Oxford I've heard so much about? 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:15.819 Is this the world famous Oxford that I've worked so hard to get to? 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:19.099 And then he stops. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:21.139 And he turns around. 00:07:22.159 --> 00:07:25.319 And in the distance, he sees the city skylight. 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:26.980 The spires. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:29.860 The beautiful buildings. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:30.980 The city lights. 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:32.699 That's Oxford. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:38.159 And it suddenly dawns on him that from the minute that he left the train station, 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:40.199 he's been walking in the completely wrong direction. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:44.459 And it's really interesting what he writes next. 00:07:45.399 --> 00:07:46.319 He writes this. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:52.399 I did not see it at the time, but this whole episode was an allegory of my life. 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:57.719 He was walking further and further away from the truth. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:00.079 Now, if that's you this morning, 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:06.159 then see the reality of your spiritual condition as outlined in these verses in Ephesians. 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:08.800 You need to do what Lewis did. 00:08:08.840 --> 00:08:09.660 You need to turn around. 00:08:10.320 --> 00:08:11.840 The Bible would use the word repent. 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:13.620 You need to say sorry. 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:14.560 You need to turn around. 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:17.460 And you need to start walking towards the truth. 00:08:18.080 --> 00:08:19.140 Now, what is the truth? 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:21.740 Well, Paul tells us, isn't he, in verse 20. 00:08:23.140 --> 00:08:25.620 The truth that is in Jesus. 00:08:26.900 --> 00:08:29.879 You need to put your faith in Jesus. 00:08:30.940 --> 00:08:32.920 Now, faith, I think, is one of those words, isn't it? 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:35.540 I wonder if you'll agree with me that a culture is kind of hijacked. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:37.459 People come up to me all the time and say, 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:38.980 Graham, I wish you had your faith. 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:41.259 And I say, well, it's simple to have my faith. 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:42.519 You just put your faith in Jesus. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:44.219 Oh, no, I don't know if I want to have your faith. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:45.919 Isn't that true? 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:47.779 The culture has hijacked that word, 00:08:47.839 --> 00:08:49.639 that it's a kind of cross your fingers 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:51.279 and hope for the best expectation 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.620 that things are going to work out okay. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.199 The thing about faith is, 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.959 it isn't how strong your faith is. 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:01.559 It's where your faith is. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:03.219 Who is your faith in? 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:07.340 Now, a really simple definition of faith, 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:08.399 if you want it this morning, 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:10.120 this is something you may have heard from Sunday school, 00:09:10.160 --> 00:09:11.740 I don't know, but I only heard it last week, 00:09:11.800 --> 00:09:12.480 so I'm going with it. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:17.639 Faith is forsaking all I trust him. 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:19.860 Okay, put your palm in front of you there, 00:09:19.920 --> 00:09:20.820 let's do it together, okay? 00:09:21.940 --> 00:09:25.080 Forsaking all I trust him. 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:30.600 Will you put your trust in what Jesus has done for you on the cross? 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:34.000 That God loves you outrageously, 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:36.160 but the thing is, 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:38.100 you are at odds with him because of your sin. 00:09:39.420 --> 00:09:41.240 Jesus took the punishment. 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.860 God sent his one and only son 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:44.879 to take the punishment that you and I deserved, 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:47.960 because we are rebels walking in a manner 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:49.980 like the first three verses outlined there. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:52.519 And if you haven't heard this before, 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.039 Jesus took your punishment. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:56.139 He died your death. 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:58.100 And you go free. 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:00.139 The great substitution. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:05.700 You need to put your faith and your trust in Jesus. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:08.200 Forsaking all I trust him. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:11.379 But Paul writes these verses 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:14.980 to help these Ephesian Christians see 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:16.740 that this is what they used to be like. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:19.820 This is the old you. 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:21.960 This is the former way of your life. 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:24.299 And the thing to see, says Paul, 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:27.340 is that this is not who you are anymore. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:29.720 Let's finish that little section, 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:31.259 verses 20 to 24. 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:31.860 Come with me. 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:32.620 Let's read it together. 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.440 Paul writes this. 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:37.379 That, however, 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:40.539 is not the way of life you learned 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.220 when you heard about Christ 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:44.259 and were taught in him 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:46.680 in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.639 You were taught, 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:51.100 with regard to your former way of life, 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.799 to put off the old self, 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:56.659 which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:59.240 to be made new 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:01.620 in the attitude of your minds 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:04.159 and to put on the new self, 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.519 created to be like God 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:10.139 in true righteousness and holiness. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.600 Do you see what he's saying? 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.560 He's saying to these Christians 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:17.459 that God has done a total transformation job 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:18.299 on their lives. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:21.199 That they were running away from him. 00:11:22.739 --> 00:11:25.319 Your hearts wanted nothing to do with him. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:27.699 Your minds knew nothing of him. 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.579 But God. 00:11:30.459 --> 00:11:31.759 Do you remember we saw that in chapter 2 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.459 a few weeks ago? 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:33.639 It was maybe a few months ago. 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:34.199 I can't remember. 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:35.200 But God. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:35.879 But God. 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:38.060 But God, in his grace, 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:40.060 he opened your eyes 00:11:40.060 --> 00:11:41.500 to the truth of his son 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:45.000 and he put his spirit in you 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:48.620 and restored you to a relationship with him 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:50.080 like it was always meant to be 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:52.160 and he gave you new life. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:57.120 And God united you to Jesus 00:11:57.120 --> 00:12:01.320 and your life is hidden in him 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:03.820 and what's his is yours. 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:08.019 Paul's point is that they need to understand 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:09.259 and they need to embrace 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:13.060 the reality of what God has done for them in Christ. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.799 Now Sinclair Ferguson, 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.659 a well-known Bible teacher, 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:19.840 good Scott as well, 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.659 he says this. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.419 He says that the gospel 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:24.299 is a message of cosmic proportions. 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:28.500 The gospel is a message of cosmic proportions. 00:12:29.599 --> 00:12:32.099 It's no small thing to be a Christian. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.459 It's a big deal. 00:12:34.439 --> 00:12:35.459 It's a big deal. 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.639 Now do you know what saddens me? 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:40.659 That sometimes, don't we, 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:41.839 we speak of our conversion? 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:45.120 That we speak of how Jesus opened our eyes? 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:46.059 It's no big deal. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:46.919 Don't we? 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:48.539 We know how it goes 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:50.620 when you're telling your testimony, 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:53.339 when sometimes you're hearing someone's testimony, 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.639 it goes something like this, doesn't it? 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:56.060 That I was brought up in a Christian family. 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:59.200 That I prayed a prayer with a friend at camp 00:12:59.200 --> 00:12:59.899 when I was seven. 00:13:00.540 --> 00:13:02.620 And I've been living my life for Jesus, 00:13:02.800 --> 00:13:04.080 following him ever since. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.899 And we frame it, don't we, 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:07.320 as if it's not a big deal. 00:13:08.160 --> 00:13:10.040 That it was almost a formality. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.340 That it was almost inevitable. 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:13.500 And we put it together like we're embarrassed. 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:14.580 Don't we? 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:16.560 Now listen, little Chloe, 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.660 I hope she grows up to have 00:13:17.660 --> 00:13:19.540 the most boring testimony in the world. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.500 Isn't that true? 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:25.179 And then we hear the story of someone 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.820 who has a dramatic testimony 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:28.519 and we somehow think that's a bigger deal 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:29.740 than what's happened to us. 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.600 Now I wonder if you're here this morning 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.519 and maybe you need to grasp afresh again 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:39.059 what a joy it is to be a Christian. 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:43.480 The miracle of what God has done in your life. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:47.100 It's a big deal and it's a costly deal 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:50.320 because it cost God his one and only son 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.340 to make it possible. 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:55.379 And notice as well that from these verses 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:56.980 that this is something these Ephesians 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.159 clearly already knew. 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.320 Verse 20 and 21. 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.279 They knew this stuff. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:04.080 They'd heard it before. 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.740 They'd been taught it. 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:06.620 They learned it. 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:09.340 But they needed reminded of it. 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:14.019 We need to understand the reality 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:17.720 of what God has done in our lives. 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:20.040 If you're a Christian here this morning, 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:22.620 you're not the old self. 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.920 You're not the old self. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:27.460 You're the new self. 00:14:28.780 --> 00:14:29.580 Isn't that amazing? 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:33.060 And Paul says two things in response to that. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:36.319 Firstly, like we sang in the song earlier, 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:36.739 he says, 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:40.279 be transformed by the renewing of your minds. 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:42.059 So what does he want them to do? 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:43.819 He wants them to think differently. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:46.939 He wants them to orientate their whole lives 00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:47.859 towards God. 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.899 Now how do we renew our minds? 00:14:51.979 --> 00:14:52.899 That's a good question, isn't it? 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.599 How do we do that? 00:14:54.979 --> 00:14:57.179 Well, we read God's word. 00:14:58.859 --> 00:15:01.559 We hear God's voice. 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:04.539 We bask ourselves in the Bible. 00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:07.979 We saturate ourselves in Scripture. 00:15:08.719 --> 00:15:12.239 We invest ourselves wholly in this book 00:15:12.239 --> 00:15:14.239 because as we read it, 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:17.119 we hear God's voice. 00:15:17.959 --> 00:15:20.919 Friends, are we devoting ourselves to God's word? 00:15:21.119 --> 00:15:22.859 Every day, daily, are we doing this? 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:26.879 Are we letting God's word speak into our lives? 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:29.199 Because we know it's true, don't we? 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:32.240 That either culture outside is going to be telling us 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.500 how to interpret the world, 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:35.259 how to understand ourselves. 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:38.220 It's either going to be culture that's telling us that 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.520 or it's going to be God's words. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.200 God is telling us that. 00:15:43.140 --> 00:15:45.520 And we need to read our Bibles expectantly 00:15:45.520 --> 00:15:46.920 every time we come to them 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:51.580 and pray that God would transform our minds 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.340 by his spirit. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:55.120 You know, it was St. Patrick, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.460 patron saint of Ireland, 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:00.500 who famously prayed these words, 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:02.700 Christ beside me, 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.500 Christ before me, 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.180 Christ behind me, 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.139 Christ within me, 00:16:07.280 --> 00:16:08.060 Christ beneath me, 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.000 Christ above me. 00:16:09.660 --> 00:16:10.540 And then he goes on to write, 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.860 Christ on my right, 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.860 Christ on my left, 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.360 Christ when I lie down, 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.780 Christ when I sit down. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:17.980 Do you see what he's praying? 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.740 He's praying that, 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:21.820 God, would you dominate my life? 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.500 Would you saturate my life? 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.659 Would I just be overcome 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:28.300 by an amazing sense of who you are? 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:31.980 So there we are. 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.740 Firstly, Paul, 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:34.259 be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:34.779 Secondly, 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:36.480 well, this is where Paul turns into 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.039 a fashion consultant. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.920 If you're a certain generation, 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:40.680 I don't know who that is, 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.180 Ralph Lauren? 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.980 Or if you're this generation, 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:43.620 is it Gokwan? 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.159 I'm not sure. 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.800 But he turns into a fashion advisor. 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:49.339 And he effectively goes into the wardrobes 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:50.599 of these Ephesian Christians 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:51.839 and he sits there and he goes, 00:16:52.099 --> 00:16:52.899 well, that's got to go. 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.899 And that's got to go. 00:16:54.979 --> 00:16:56.439 And that is definitely got to go. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:57.659 You know, 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:59.019 I bought a mustard top. 00:16:59.099 --> 00:17:00.179 You may have seen it a few weeks ago. 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.059 Alex hates it. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.799 That's got to go. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.440 But this is what he's saying. 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:08.019 He's saying that you need a new wardrobe 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.359 that goes with the new you. 00:17:10.159 --> 00:17:13.099 And he starts using dressing language. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:16.259 He starts using clothing language. 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:16.679 Now, of course, 00:17:16.719 --> 00:17:18.179 he's not talking about physical clothes. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.799 He's talking about how these Christians 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.480 are to behave. 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:25.879 This is how a follower of the Lord Jesus 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:27.039 is to clothe himself. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:30.240 Clothe yourself in a way 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:32.439 that goes with the new you. 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.939 Put off the old self. 00:17:35.159 --> 00:17:36.539 Put on the new self. 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.959 Now, what is that going to look like? 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.659 Well, do you notice how he doesn't leave them 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.640 to kind of speculate 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:43.440 or to try and figure it out for themselves? 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.700 He tells them exactly 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:47.880 what it's going to look like in their life. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:49.620 So let's turn to the second part this morning, 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.700 the new lifestyle. 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.900 Verses 25 to 32. 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:53.560 Come with me. 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.440 Let's read it together. 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.240 Paul writes this. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:00.640 Therefore, 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.940 each of you 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.900 must put off 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.380 falsehood 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:07.539 and speak truthfully 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.339 to your neighbor 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.660 for we are all members 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.480 of one body. 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.319 In your anger, 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.140 do not sin. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.779 Do not let the sun go down 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.960 while you are still angry 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.599 and do not give the devil a foothold. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:21.240 Anyone who has been stealing 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.859 must no longer steal 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:24.660 but must work 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.700 doing something useful 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.779 with their own hands 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.819 that they may have something 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.460 to share 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.759 with those in need. 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:33.200 Do not let 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.880 any unwholesome talk 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:36.059 come out of your mouths 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.519 but only 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.519 what is helpful 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.220 for building others up 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.400 according to their needs 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.960 that it may benefit 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.819 those who listen. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.440 And do not grieve 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.980 the Holy Spirit of God 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:49.740 with whom you were sealed 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.920 for the day of redemption. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.480 Get rid 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:54.360 of all bitterness, 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:54.960 rage, 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.740 and anger, 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.240 brawling and slander 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.579 along with every form 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.340 of malice. 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:01.000 Be kind 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.600 and compassionate 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.400 to one another 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.620 forgiving each other 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:06.100 just as Christ 00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:07.799 God 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.420 forgave 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.019 you. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:12.220 So this is the truth 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.860 that what God 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.400 has done 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.079 in them 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:16.240 should have 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.160 such a profound 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.180 effect on the way 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:18.620 that they live 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.319 their lives 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.840 and I think 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.519 in particular 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.380 in this section 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.380 how they behave 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.280 with one another 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:25.600 within this Christian 00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:26.060 community. 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:27.060 So this is effectively 00:19:27.060 --> 00:19:27.800 how they operate 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:28.520 as a church. 00:19:30.020 --> 00:19:30.760 And I think 00:19:30.760 --> 00:19:31.260 the easiest way 00:19:31.260 --> 00:19:32.440 to understand this 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.880 is that he talks 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:35.060 about three body parts. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.560 He talks about 00:19:36.560 --> 00:19:37.200 their mouths. 00:19:38.260 --> 00:19:39.040 He talks about 00:19:39.040 --> 00:19:39.840 their hands. 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:41.040 And he talks 00:19:41.040 --> 00:19:41.800 about their hearts. 00:19:42.760 --> 00:19:43.580 So let's just 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.300 walk through 00:19:44.300 --> 00:19:45.220 those three things. 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:45.480 Okay? 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:45.900 Firstly, 00:19:46.040 --> 00:19:46.660 their mouths. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.880 In light of the new 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.180 new, 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:51.600 put off falsehoods. 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.400 Put off lying, 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.760 slander, 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.300 gossiping, 00:19:57.020 --> 00:19:58.040 vile language, 00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.600 rumor spreading, 00:19:59.780 --> 00:20:00.700 exaggeration, 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:02.060 unwholesome talk. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:02.920 Now the word 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.920 unwholesome there, 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.740 it quite literally 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.840 means rottenness. 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.480 Do you see what 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:07.820 he's saying? 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.300 Get rid of 00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:09.220 rotten talk. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.800 Talk that has 00:20:10.800 --> 00:20:11.620 as its aim 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.540 to tear someone 00:20:12.540 --> 00:20:12.940 down. 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:14.880 Talk that has 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.780 as its aim 00:20:15.780 --> 00:20:16.440 to delight 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.400 in the misfortune 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.280 of others. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.259 It's just a 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.200 complete lack 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.019 of integrity 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.259 by the way 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:23.740 in which you 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.759 use your mouths. 00:20:27.280 --> 00:20:27.600 Now do you know 00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:27.900 who it's been 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.640 a bad week for? 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.620 FIFA. 00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:31.900 Isn't it? 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.540 Bad week for FIFA. 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:35.019 Chris Bryant, 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.780 the Shadow Culture 00:20:36.780 --> 00:20:37.920 Media and Sports 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.320 Secretary. 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.120 That's a great title, 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.440 isn't it? 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.680 Shadow Culture 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.480 Media and Sports 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:41.740 Secretary. 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:42.519 He said this. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.380 He said, 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:43.960 Yesterday, 00:20:44.780 --> 00:20:45.740 the whole world 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.280 saw that beneath 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.139 the mask, 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.299 the beautiful game 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.579 has a very ugly face. 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.240 Can anyone be 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.539 in doubt at all 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.960 that FIFA is 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.019 rotten to the core 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.859 and needs swift 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:58.000 and wholesome reform? 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.099 Question mark. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.000 Isn't it? 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.599 There's an organization 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.519 this week that's been 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.779 accused of many things, 00:21:04.899 --> 00:21:05.680 but essentially 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.980 what it boils down to, 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.639 dishonesty, 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:09.980 lying, 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:11.579 isn't it? 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.240 Falsehood. 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.819 FIFA have been 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.359 accused of. 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.159 But the trap 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:16.799 that we mustn't 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.559 fall into 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:19.019 as we read about 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.539 that kind of stuff 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.039 in the news 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.740 is to think that 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.759 falsehood is out 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.479 there somewhere. 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.839 We know it. 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.359 Don't we have to be 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.500 a lot closer to home? 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:26.719 I mean, 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.539 just think about 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.699 the places 00:21:28.699 --> 00:21:29.500 that you work. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.740 I walked in an office 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:33.419 environment for four years. 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:34.959 You know what it's like? 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.819 Think about the offices 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.459 where you work. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.419 Think about the 00:21:37.419 --> 00:21:38.619 sports teams 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.259 or the clubs 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.199 that you're a member of. 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.839 And dare I say it, 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.639 think about your 00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:43.699 wider family. 00:21:44.939 --> 00:21:45.759 Do we not know 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.359 it to be true 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.399 that our culture 00:21:47.399 --> 00:21:49.359 and our own lives 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:49.759 at times, 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.419 are they not rife 00:21:50.419 --> 00:21:51.480 with falsehoods? 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.279 And what Paul 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.059 is saying to these 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.619 Christians 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:56.579 is that the church, 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:58.419 the community 00:21:58.419 --> 00:21:59.299 of grace, 00:21:59.459 --> 00:22:00.559 the family of God 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.279 that you have been 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.599 grafted into, 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.000 there's to be 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.559 none of that. 00:22:06.439 --> 00:22:07.059 You are to be 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.339 so radically different 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.839 by the way 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.859 that you use your mouth 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.539 in the world 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.399 that you live in. 00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.519 Now it's said 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.799 of St. Augustine, 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:16.279 he's one of the 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:18.039 fathers of early 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.539 Christianity 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.559 in the West, 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.139 it's said of him 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:20.939 that he had a sign 00:22:20.939 --> 00:22:22.019 above his dinner table 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.899 and it said, 00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:25.759 a man who speaks 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:27.119 evil of an absent 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:27.779 man or woman 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.519 is not welcome 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.139 at this table. 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.639 Put off falsehoods. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.779 In light of the new you, 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.639 put on truth 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.679 and grace. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:40.060 speak truthfully 00:22:40.060 --> 00:22:40.820 to one another. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.680 Speak lovingly 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.299 to one another. 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:45.840 Speak gracious words. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:48.519 Speak patient words. 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.620 Speak kind words. 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.460 Speak beneficial words. 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:53.140 Words that are going 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:54.740 to build somebody up, 00:22:55.320 --> 00:22:56.860 not tear them down. 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.660 And you see, 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.580 I think the big idea 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.680 that we need to understand 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.480 from what he's saying 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.560 here to these Christians 00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:04.600 is that their conversation 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:07.259 is to be a demonstration 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:09.519 of and a vehicle 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:12.139 for the grace of God. 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.559 Grace has to pour 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:16.480 off their lips. 00:23:18.699 --> 00:23:18.859 You know, 00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:19.619 I think if you think 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.619 back over your week, 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.899 what have your words 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.419 been like? 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.159 What have our words 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:25.759 been like? 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:30.000 We know it to be true, 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.399 don't we, 00:23:30.439 --> 00:23:32.480 the destructive impact 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:34.180 that our words 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.279 can have. 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:38.360 Now we need to watch 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:39.120 in here, 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.880 we need to watch 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.599 how we're speaking 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.299 to one another. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.579 We need to start thinking 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.960 about how we're speaking 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.799 of one another. 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.680 And we need to act 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.599 in accordance 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:50.039 with what Paul 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.900 is telling these 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.019 Ephesian Christians here. 00:23:53.860 --> 00:23:55.519 That is how the mouth 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.620 of the new you speaks. 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.779 Second body parts, 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.319 the hands. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:01.439 In light of the new you, 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.579 put off stealing. 00:24:04.899 --> 00:24:05.500 Now I'd imagine 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:07.079 as Paul wrote this, 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.039 he's presumably 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.980 addressing people 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.819 that he's heard about 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.759 who are being lazy, 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:12.179 who aren't working, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.740 and who are making 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.879 a living dishonestly. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.419 And what he's saying 00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:17.579 is that kind of lifestyle 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.159 has got no place 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:20.059 in the kingdom of God. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.899 Now if you want to 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:23.039 contextualize that 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.399 into our speak, 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.539 he's effectively saying 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.399 don't be a people 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:29.840 who diddle your tax returns. 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.640 Don't be a people 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.480 who steal off 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.240 his stationery. 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:35.060 Don't be a people 00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:36.140 that when your employer 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.840 is employing you 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.680 to do a job, 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.740 that you go and do 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.560 something else. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.200 Do you see what he's saying? 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:43.240 He's saying put off 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.960 stealing, 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:45.220 put off dishonest living. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:47.360 And in light of the new you, 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.440 put on generosity. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.600 So what he's saying 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:52.640 is use your hands 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:54.440 in a way that glorifies God 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.700 and benefits others. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.759 Use your hands 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.680 to contribute 00:24:58.680 --> 00:25:00.480 to the work of the church. 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:02.039 Use your hands 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:04.259 to build others up. 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.940 Use your hands 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.960 to bless 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:08.200 your brothers 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:09.819 and sisters in Christ 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.600 whose hands 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:11.580 may well be failing. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.840 And it leads us to ask, 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.240 doesn't it, 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.340 how are we using 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:18.580 our hands here this morning? 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.819 Are we using them generously? 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.880 Are we using our abilities 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.140 that God has given us 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:26.060 to bless our brothers 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.640 and sisters 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:28.180 to serve this church family? 00:25:29.280 --> 00:25:30.200 And are we using 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.840 our possessions? 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:32.060 Are we using our money? 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:33.240 Are we using that kind of stuff 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.840 to build up the church? 00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:38.320 That's how the hands 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:40.140 of the new you work. 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.580 Your mouths, 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.060 your hands, 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.500 thirdly, 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.960 let's look at the heart. 00:25:46.260 --> 00:25:47.180 Paul writes this, 00:25:47.260 --> 00:25:48.380 in light of the new you, 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.380 put off anger. 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:52.920 Now I think 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:54.180 in this passage, 00:25:54.260 --> 00:25:54.460 isn't it, 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:56.120 we can read it 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.940 as almost as talking 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.800 about righteous anger. 00:25:59.120 --> 00:26:00.040 Now there are things 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:00.440 as Christians 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.720 that we need to be angry about. 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:02.420 We need to be angry 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.960 about social injustice 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:05.480 in our community 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.400 and in the world. 00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:08.700 We need to be angry 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.920 about our own sin 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:12.340 and how it offends God. 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.200 But I'm not convinced 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.000 that's what Paul's 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.180 big idea is here. 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:18.480 What he's saying is 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.300 that when we find 00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:20.300 ourselves angry, 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:22.340 we need to be very, 00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:23.020 very, 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:23.680 very, 00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:25.220 very careful. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.780 And we need to be 00:26:27.780 --> 00:26:28.080 very, 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.400 very, 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.180 very careful 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.720 because your anger 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.260 is not to get 00:26:31.260 --> 00:26:32.080 the better of you. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.640 Don't let it master you. 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.420 That's his big point. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.180 Now how do I know 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:38.040 if anger has mastered me? 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.400 Well I was thinking 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.180 about it this week. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.300 The irony is, 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.520 by the way, 00:26:42.520 --> 00:26:43.400 when you're studying anger 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:44.660 you realize how angry you are. 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:47.600 When something annoys you, 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.520 does it dominate your mind? 00:26:50.780 --> 00:26:52.280 Can you not shrug it off? 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.480 Do you go to bed at night 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.220 thinking about it 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.100 and wake up in the morning 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:55.880 and think about it? 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.940 Does it cause you 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.780 to get bitter 00:26:58.780 --> 00:27:00.000 and angry 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.120 against another person 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:02.120 when you replay it 00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:03.080 over and over 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.760 and over again 00:27:03.760 --> 00:27:04.320 in your mind? 00:27:04.760 --> 00:27:05.280 Are you the one 00:27:05.280 --> 00:27:05.920 that's always right? 00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:08.140 That's how we know 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.140 it's mastered us. 00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.160 What does he say? 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.440 He says, 00:27:11.540 --> 00:27:12.560 put off anger. 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.980 Put off anger 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.680 and in the light 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.840 of the new you, 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.980 the new self, 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.199 put on forgiveness 00:27:19.199 --> 00:27:20.539 and put on self-control. 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:24.019 And I think the big idea 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:26.019 here for us to understand 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.619 is that the day 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.220 of your anger 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.299 is to be the day 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.059 that you deal with it. 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.459 Don't allow 00:27:31.459 --> 00:27:32.659 unsettled matters 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.399 to fester 00:27:33.399 --> 00:27:34.939 because when they fester 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:36.059 they spread 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.599 and before you know it 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.039 you're not dealing 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.819 with a little scratch 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.399 in your arm, 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.759 you're dealing 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.500 with a gangrene, 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:40.799 you're dealing 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.240 with a limb 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.220 that needs to be cut off. 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.600 It spreads 00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:45.039 and it festers 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:47.240 and we must commit 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.339 ourselves as a community 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.519 to not allow the devil 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.900 to have any opportunity 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:53.019 to put a bridge 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.839 separation 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.240 between us. 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:57.500 If you're not right 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.220 with somebody 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.019 in this room 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:02.120 then the uncomfortable 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:03.339 truth here 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.200 is that you need 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.420 to go and deal with it. 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.559 You need to go 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.120 and deal with it. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.259 Don't hope 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.660 that you're going 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:10.000 to bump into the person 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.319 over there 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.079 in the coffee queue 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.460 and if it doesn't happen 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:12.720 you think 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.199 I'll just do it 00:28:13.199 --> 00:28:13.679 next week. 00:28:14.679 --> 00:28:14.939 Okay? 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.740 You've got to go 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.019 and do it. 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.699 You've got to get right 00:28:18.699 --> 00:28:19.919 with one another 00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:20.399 because remember 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.079 this isn't just 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:22.079 a moralism exercise 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:23.480 this is us representing 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:25.339 the holiness of God 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.339 this different community 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.379 that lives for Jesus 00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:28.639 and how are people 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:29.539 going to recognize it 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.199 if they look in 00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:30.799 and we're bickering 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.399 with one another? 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:33.480 Put off anger 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:35.379 put on forgiveness 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:37.359 and self-control. 00:28:38.439 --> 00:28:39.720 That's how the heart 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.420 of the new you beats. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.779 Put off the old self 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.240 put on the new self 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.600 be a holy community 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.860 be a community 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.880 that lives 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.579 and breathes 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.019 and beats 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.039 for Jesus Christ 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.259 in this world 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.860 of darkness. 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:55.019 Clothe yourselves 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.220 in a way 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.920 that goes 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:58.420 with the new you. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.220 So let me ask you 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.680 this morning 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:03.319 how are you doing 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.279 with some of these things? 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.960 And let me make 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.579 two comments 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.500 just as we close. 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.980 Firstly 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.480 this is a battle 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:13.940 and because it's a battle 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.920 it's hard 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:16.720 but it's a battle 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.619 that you and I 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.359 we need to commit 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.400 ourselves to fighting. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.160 We need to be 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:22.440 killing sin. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.900 We need to be 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:25.160 spotting it in our lives 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.599 and putting it to death 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.920 because the truth is 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.819 if we're not putting 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.460 it to death 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.480 it will be putting us 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:30.900 to death. 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.400 If we're not killing it 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:34.480 it will be killing us. 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.559 Now do you remember 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:38.039 when I think 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.759 it was swine flu 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.579 I think 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.940 was doing the rounds 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.759 a few years ago? 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.059 Do you remember that? 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.919 Got one nod. 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:45.639 We'll go with it. 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.259 One nod. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.879 And the government 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.220 didn't they? 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.179 They produced this 00:29:49.179 --> 00:29:49.779 little slogan 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.799 to try and help us 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.379 as the public 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.059 to deal with it. 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:52.440 Do you remember 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.000 that slogan? 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.659 Catch it 00:29:54.659 --> 00:29:55.259 bin it 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.000 kill it. 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.339 Did anybody do it? 00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.240 I think I did it twice. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.399 I actually went through it 00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:00.679 and did it. 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.500 Catch it 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.200 bin it 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.900 kill it. 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.019 Same applies to our sin. 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.460 Got to be fighting it. 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:07.920 Every time 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.860 you see 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.940 the old self 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:11.220 making a fleeting appearance 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.420 and it happens so often 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.340 if you stop and think 00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:14.559 about how often it happens 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:16.500 it happens all the time 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.960 when you see 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.620 the old self 00:30:17.620 --> 00:30:18.620 making an appearance 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.640 catch it 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.259 bin it 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.960 kill it. 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.140 Maybe there's some 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:22.900 conversations 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.779 that you need to have 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.900 right after the service 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.940 to make that a reality. 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.500 Let's be making 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.319 every effort 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.340 to put off 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:31.039 the old self 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.159 and to put on 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:33.379 the new self. 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.420 Second comment 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:37.779 maybe all this talk 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.399 maybe actually 00:30:38.399 --> 00:30:39.339 it just makes you 00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:40.399 feel despondent 00:30:40.399 --> 00:30:42.500 because you sit here 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.299 and you're listening to me 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.639 and you say 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.099 Graham I'm trying 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.839 really hard 00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:46.359 I'm trying really hard 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.279 but see that old guy 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.519 see that old self 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:50.000 I just can't 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.599 control him. 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.779 He keeps making 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.220 an appearance 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.019 I keep struggling 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.180 in my Christian life 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:56.480 I've tried so hard 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:58.180 but it just seems futile. 00:30:58.180 --> 00:31:01.799 Well can I just 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.279 encourage you 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.960 just as we close 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.560 can you see the 00:31:03.560 --> 00:31:04.460 massive encouragement 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.420 that's in these verses 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:07.400 verse 30 00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:10.640 God has given us 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.259 his Holy Spirit 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:14.720 the third person 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.480 of the Godhead 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.920 that God has placed 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.620 in our hearts 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.220 is a seal 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.060 that we are his 00:31:19.060 --> 00:31:20.880 and the spirit's role 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.660 in our life 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:23.080 is to point us 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:23.860 to Christ 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:25.679 is to exalt 00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:26.779 the work 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.679 of Christ 00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:29.359 in our lives 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:30.299 to cause our eyes 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.899 and our minds 00:31:30.899 --> 00:31:31.539 and our hearts 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.699 to focus 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:33.759 on him 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.579 to illuminate 00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:35.500 his finished work 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.079 on the cross 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.819 because you see 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:38.000 this isn't about 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.799 us being perfect 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:41.199 you do not need 00:31:41.199 --> 00:31:42.659 to feel weighed down 00:31:42.659 --> 00:31:43.479 by the guilt 00:31:43.479 --> 00:31:44.199 that you 00:31:44.199 --> 00:31:46.159 are not so often 00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:46.859 the new self 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:48.299 because Jesus 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.179 paid for your sin 00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.819 on the cross 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.379 and the spirit 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:51.279 will illuminate that 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.419 and he'll draw you to it 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:54.279 Scottish pastor 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:54.920 from the past 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.880 Robert Murray McShane 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:56.200 he said 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.060 for every one look 00:31:57.060 --> 00:31:57.759 at my sin 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.779 I take ten looks 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.500 at the cross 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:04.060 and the spirit 00:32:04.060 --> 00:32:06.019 by God's grace 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:07.600 his agenda for us 00:32:07.600 --> 00:32:08.300 is not to leave us 00:32:08.300 --> 00:32:08.779 as we are 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.300 it's to make us 00:32:09.300 --> 00:32:10.560 more like Jesus 00:32:10.560 --> 00:32:12.300 now think about it 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.680 this way 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:14.019 if the old self 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.779 is over here 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.940 and the new self 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.660 is over here 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.800 if the world 00:32:17.800 --> 00:32:18.420 is over here 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.420 if Jesus is over here 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.320 the spirit in us 00:32:20.320 --> 00:32:20.960 is helping us 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.560 to go that way 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:24.319 isn't that an amazing 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.279 truth that God 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:26.059 hasn't left us 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:26.579 on our own 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.599 to figure this one out 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:29.079 that God hasn't 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.639 left us 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:30.859 just to rally on 00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:32.119 without any help 00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:33.839 he's chosen 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.599 to give us 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:36.099 his holy spirit 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:37.779 and I think 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.859 just really simply 00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:39.500 from these verses 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.379 when we choose 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.419 to go with the old self 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:42.220 instead of the new self 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.019 we grieve the spirit 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:44.019 that's what he's talking about 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:46.519 and so the question 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.759 for us as we close 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:49.059 is are we walking 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:50.039 in step with the spirit 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:52.899 what an amazing 00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:53.819 promise from God 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:56.299 now just as we close 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.279 something really practical 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.180 to help us this week 00:32:58.180 --> 00:33:01.139 Friday I came to 4 o'clock 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:02.119 and I had no energy left 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:02.619 so I thought I would 00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.279 do something useful 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:06.399 these little stickers 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:08.200 on it it just says 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:09.059 the new self 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:11.039 and an idea for you 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.519 this week 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.379 there's a ton of them 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.200 in that corner there 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:15.039 you can draw your own 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.799 you can do what you want 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.899 but let's this week 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.680 why don't we put this 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.639 above our wardrobes 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:20.180 yeah 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.160 and every time 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.780 you get changed 00:33:21.780 --> 00:33:22.540 every time you put 00:33:22.540 --> 00:33:23.240 on something 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.520 let's remind ourselves 00:33:24.520 --> 00:33:26.420 to put on the new self 00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:27.940 now poor Alex 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.660 Chloe's thrown up 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:29.340 all over at the minute 00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:29.980 she's getting changed 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.400 a lot 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:32.200 but every time 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.540 you do it 00:33:32.540 --> 00:33:33.160 go to the wardrobe 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:34.200 put it above your wardrobe 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.460 let's strive 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:36.280 to put on 00:33:36.280 --> 00:33:38.080 put off the old self 00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:38.680 and put on 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.860 the new self 00:33:39.860 --> 00:33:42.400 just remember Tommy 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:44.520 walking around the meadows 00:33:44.520 --> 00:33:46.360 your clothes 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:48.080 look ridiculous on you 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:49.480 let's put off 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.540 the old self 00:33:50.540 --> 00:33:51.100 let's put on 00:33:51.100 --> 00:33:51.600 the new self 00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:52.660 let's clothe ourselves 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.280 in a way 00:33:53.280 --> 00:33:55.280 that goes with the new you 00:33:55.280 --> 00:33:56.580 let's pray 00:33:56.580 --> 00:34:07.020 Father God 00:34:07.020 --> 00:34:07.860 we thank you so much 00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.400 this morning 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.680 for your precious words 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:11.400 Father thank you 00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:12.360 that you haven't 00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:13.740 left us to our own devices 00:34:13.740 --> 00:34:14.800 to figure you out 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:16.260 but you've revealed 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:17.340 yourself to us 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:19.000 and thank you 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.480 that your word 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.240 is like a mirror 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:22.059 that as we look 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.680 into it 00:34:22.680 --> 00:34:23.980 like we have this morning 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:25.140 our hearts are exposed 00:34:25.140 --> 00:34:27.700 and we see the changes 00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.760 that we need to make 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:31.039 and I pray for all of us 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.940 now as we think 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.480 through what we've read 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:35.519 that we would do 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.280 what we need to do 00:34:36.280 --> 00:34:37.380 in response to that 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:39.539 in the silence now 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:41.019 would you be speaking 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.559 to us 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:51.420 and I pray for this church 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:51.759 Lord 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:53.659 that you would help us 00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:54.619 to be a community 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:56.019 of radical righteousness 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:58.440 help us by your 00:34:58.440 --> 00:35:00.299 precious Holy Spirit 00:35:00.299 --> 00:35:02.519 to live in the light 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:04.039 of our new identity 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.719 in Christ 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:06.440 and this is our prayer 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.420 through his worthy 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:08.440 and precious name 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.279 Amen 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.659 God bless you 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.719 and out 00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:24.659 will you 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.000 give us an app 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:25.759 and give us a 00:35:25.759 --> 00:35:25.880 Понim бы 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.199 God bless you 00:35:26.199 --> 00:35:27.119 turn to others 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.719 and we'll be 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:28.559 just 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:28.980 of course 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:29.579 for our 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:29.840 future 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:30.179 and this is our prayer 00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:30.259 challenge 00:35:30.259 --> 00:35:30.940 and we'll find out 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.380 in this opportunity 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:32.019 of the paradise 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.199 that we've got 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.920 there 00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:33.420 of Jesus 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:33.880 and we'll emperor 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.000 know 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:35.039 and we'll see 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:35.960 that 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:36.099 and we'll see 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:37.279 in this容易 00:35:37.279 --> 00:35:37.779 so 00:35:37.779 --> 00:35:38.039 Rachel 00:35:38.299 --> 00:35:39.320 what